Hello, everyone, I’d like to welcome my first official guest to Magical Musings, author, Leigh Duncan. I first met Leigh at the Romance Writers of America Conference in Dallas, Texas. She was in the bar area giving away little bags of chocolate covered potato chips (I know!) and I scrambled to get one. I asked her where the delicious potato chips came from and she told me she’d gotten them from a chocolate shop in her hometown of Melbourne, Florida. That’s when I informed her that Melbourne was my hometown too! (although I hadn’t lived there for quite a while) and an instant friendship was forged. Leigh is one of the warmest, funniest women you’ll ever meet. She’s also a pretty darn good writer. This June, her second book comes out and I asked Leigh a few questions that readers and aspiring authors might want to know. So take it away, Leigh!
The Daddy Catch
Release Date: June 7th
ISBN: 978-0-373-75364-2
Available from: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Harlequin
First, let me say I’m thrilled to join you on Magical Musings. There was a time, not so very long ago, when being interviewed as an author was one of those cross-your-fingers-and-hope dreams. Now that it’s happening, I have to admit, I keep looking over my shoulder, hoping no one taps me on it to say it’s all been a mistake. Like that season on Dallas, when JR….Ooooooh, that really dates me, doesn’t it? Well, before I drift too far down the river of nostalgia, Maria, you had some questions?
Maria: What’s the one, best piece of advice you received that you think help you get published?
Leigh: Wow, there’s been so much! I wrote full-time for years before I got “The Call.” Took a zillion classes. Went to more conferences than I could count. Completed three manuscripts—one a straightforward contemporary romance, and two angst-driven women’s fiction novels—and had a file-drawer crammed full of rejection letters. And I was getting discouraged, you know? I even talked about it with Cyndi D’Alba (RWA’s PRO Liaison who recently sold her first book—yeah, Cyndi!). Anyway, I told Cyndi I was going to give it Just. One. More. Year. But first, I was going to follow some advice from Kathryn Caskie and Sophia Nash.
I met Kathryn and Sophia on a women’s fiction panel at a conference and, while driving them to the airport the next day, Sophia asked why I was writing angsty women’s fiction which, at the time, New York wasn’t buying. They both suggested I try my hand at a light-hearted romance. Said they thought I had “the voice” for it. Well, who was I to argue with award winning, best selling authors? So, before I erased my hard drive and pitched my computer through the window, or tossed all my mechanical pencils (love ‘em!), I gave it one more try. And it worked. The Officer’s Girl, my debut book with Harlequin American Romance, was the result.
So, I’d have to say Sophia and Kathryn’s advice to “try a new direction when the old one isn’t working” was the best writing advice I’ve ever been given. But the next suggestion was nearly as important and came from NYT best-selling author Roxanne St. Claire. After she read the first draft of The Officer’s Girl, Roxanne told me to “aim higher” than the very small publisher I’d targeted. She was the one who pointed me in Harlequin’s direction.
Maria: How is Harlequin American Romance different from the other Harlequin lines?
Leigh: Each of the Harlequin category lines has a different focus, a different appeal. Some, like Blaze, are spicy. Others, like Intrigue, are filled with mystery or suspense. Whatever your interests are, Harlequin has a line for you! I’ve always loved Harlequin Americans because of the strong emphasis on family, marriage and community. Small towns are a favorite with this line. Americans run the gamut from sweet to intensely emotional, but because of their shorter length (60K max), the focus is tightly fixed on the romance.
Maria: Your second book, The Daddy Catch, will be out soon. Tell us a little bit about The Daddy Catch and how you came up with the idea of for the book.
Leigh: Water, water, water. You can hardly get away from wet stuff if you live in Florida. We have so many lakes and rivers, you practically trip over them. And then, of course, there’s the ocean on one side, the Gulf on the other. So, what do you do with all that water? Well, if you’re like me and don’t want to get your feet wet, you fish it.
Now, my idea of fishing is to drop in a baited hook, sit back with a good book, and wait for a tug on the line, but hubby is an avid fly fisher. You can’t live with one of those without learning more than a little about the sport. Plus, when we moved back to Florida after years of living all over the country, one of the first things I noticed was how much the area had grown. Schools and churches lined the stretch of road where I (okay, stupidly) used to hit three digits on the speedometer. Pasture lands were disappearing, replaced by houses with zero lot lines. And some of the area’s prime fishing spots were being destroyed by run-off and over-development.
Those elements combined to build the plot for The Daddy Catch. It’s the story of hunky thoracic surgeon Dan Hamilton, a foster-system success story, whose wildest dreams are practically within reach when a group of fellow doctors invite him to join in building a medical center for the stars on Florida’s east coast. And widowed Jessica Cofer who has just three goals in life—to help her young son grow into an honest man, to keep her fly fishing shop afloat, and to preserve a piece of old Florida as a legacy for her child and the future. More than hooks and lines are in the lesson plans when an upcoming fishing trip with his new business partners forces Dan to hire the feisty fly fishing guide. Their temperatures rise faster than mercury on a summer day…until Jess learns the handsome doctor has his eye on more than her curves—he plans to steal the land from under her feet.
Maria: What’s next for Leigh Duncan?
Leigh:More Harlequin American Romances, of course. I’m working on a couple right now. And, then there’s always that angsty women’s fiction. I’m still hoping to find a home for it one day.
To learn more about Leigh and her books, please visit her website at www.leighduncan.com
Leigh is giving away a copy of The Daddy Catch to one lucky commenter. US only, please! Comments will be accepted till two am Friday, EST. (May 27). The winner will be selected by the random generator and be announced on Friday’s am post.
Good luck!
Hi Leigh,
Great interview! Love learning about how everything started for an author, has to be such a great feeling to see your work on the shelves for all to read
If I don’t win, adding your book to my TBR list 
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends!
Good morning, Michele! Thanks so much for dropping by.
How did we get to the last week in May already? Seems like just yesterday, it was April.
Thanks for being our guest today. I love your story! How great to get advice from the two writers. Romance writers are so generous. The Daddy Catch sounds like a great story. I hope your books are a huge success!
Congrats on your books! They sound wonderful. I’ve been trying to talk my husband into moving to Floriday for years. Maybe someday
Edie, you’re so right about the generosity of romance writers. They (we) are so willing to share what they know! I’ve heard it said that other genres aren’t so lucky. All I can say is, I’ve learned from some of the best and am so grateful for all they’ve taught me.
Lori, my recommendation? Come on down…for a visit…in the summer. I love it here (and my curls do, too), but not everyone appreciates our long summers. Can’t beat those mild winters, though.
Good Morning Leigh,
Congrats on your new book, I haven’t read a Harlequin American Romance yet but I have to say your Daddy Catch sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing the advice you received. I hope you get those angsty women’s fictions pubbed someday. I’d love to read those too! Happy Memorial Day early!
Hello Leigh,
Congrats and great interview! Enjoyed learning about the “how” you published–always interesting to read those stories. Looking forward to seeing The Daddy Catch. Looks like a great summer read. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and wonderful summer.
Hugs!
Loni Lynne
Good morning, Leigh
I have to say, I really love the cover for the new book!
Leigh, I love your road to publication story! I’m still out here, still dreaming the dream, but I love seeing you living it!
I’m so honored to have any little role in your journey, Leigh! Your books have such heart and soul, your storytelling is so compelling, and your voice just sings. Of course you should aim high — and I have a feeling you’ll continue to do so. Can’t wait to hook THE DADDY CATCH!
xoxo
Rocki
Carlene, never read a Harlequin American? You’re in for a real treat! Heartwarming love stories in towns all across America. Read one, and you’ll be hooked for a lifetime just like I was.
Leigh, Congratulations! The Daddy Catch sounds great. One. More. Try. is sometimes all it takes. Great job!
Loni, I hope you enjoy The Daddy Catch! It’s getting some great reviews, including a 4 star review in RT, and one from a fly fishing guide who insisted he didn’t read romance, but then wrote to say he couldn’t put it down…and that I’d gotten all the fly fishing details right.
Maria, isn’t the cover great? Don’t you just love that little boy’s expression? That’s the first thing I saw when I pulled the proof out of the envelope. His little face just made my heart sing.
Evie, keep dreaming and keep writing. And when you do get “the call,” I hope you’ll come right here to Magical Musings and share your good news!
Roxanne, a little role? You are far too modest.
For anyone who doesn’t know her, Roxanne is one of those writers Edie was talking about, the kind whose generosity with the lessons they’ve learned through 26 + books encourages the rest of us to persue our dreams. And she’s a great writer. I just finished her latest book, FACE OF DANGER, and it’s fabulous.
P. H., and I’m soooo glad I gave it that one, final try. I wouldn’t have done it though without the encouragement of my writing friends. And family. They’ve always believed for me.
Thank you for joining us today, Leigh. I was at that Dallas conference (my first RWA National conference) but I didn’t get any of those chips!
I wish you every success with your new release.
Michelle Diener`s last blog was …Boundaries
Pingback: A Visit from Leigh Duncan (and a giveaway!) « Juli's books
Michelle, oh, no! You didn’t get any? The next time we attend the same conference, I’ll bring some just for you. Chocolate-covered-potato-chips might sound odd but, trust me, they’re fabulous. I have two boxes sitting in my office right now. I’m supposed to be saving them for a couple of silent auction baskets. But…
Ooooh, I want some chocolate-covered potato chips, too.
Lovely interview, Maria and Leigh! Thanks so much for sharing more about your writing journey, and congrats on The Daddy Catch!!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Halloweenin May!
Marilyn, let’s throw our own party! I’ll bring the candy. Which would you like–milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
Leigh – The Daddy Catch cover is adorable! I love all your books and can’t wait for those new ones to come out.
Leigh,
I’m really looking forward to reading your book. Love the cover.
Carolyn
Hi Carrie! Good morning, Carolyn. I’m so glad you like the cover of THE DADDY CATCH. My editor suggested the fishing vests. Isn’t that the perfect detail? Because this book revolves around fly fishing, I was scared to death that there’d be a spinning rod on the front. That’d be a big no-no. Fortunately, Harlequin’s art department is the BEST and they came up with a cover that really catches the spirit of the book.
Hi Leigh,
Your book THE DADDY CATCH sounds like my kind of book
Love books about small towns with good values about family. Definitely adding this to my TBR list. You said this was your second book, what was your first book and what was it about?
Thanks for stopping by Leigh, love being introduced to new authors.
Amy R, that’s the book Kathryn Caskie and Sophia Nash encouraged me to write. Hubby and I had recently moved back to Florida after living all around the country for twenty-some-odd years. This time, we settled in Satellite Beach. Now, when I was growing up in nearby Cocoa, we referred to the beaches as “beaches.” Today, they’re called “barrier islands.” So when a hurricane bore down on us and the evacuation warnings went out for the barrier islands, I called hubby at work and asked, “Where are these islands off the coast of Florida that they want to evacuate?” He said, “You’re living on one. Start packing.”
I think that helped it final in this year’s Golden Quill and Write Touch awards.
Well, I did, but the idea of a newcomer to Florida simmered until it became THE OFFICER’S GIRL. Of course, Stephie, the heroine of that book, is way smarter than I was.
Judy, there are days when I have to pinch myself just to be sure it’s really true. To paraphrase Barbara O’Neal, the odds of selling to a major publisher are stacked against us, but someone has to do it. The question we have to ask is, “Why not me?” Keep at it. If it can happen for me, it can happen for you, too.
Hi Leigh!!! We haven’t met in person, but we’ve chatted on the phone and I have to agree, you are one of the sweetest people I’ve met. So excited about all the great career things that are happening for you! You’ve given so much to the writing community, I hope you really enjoy your chance to SHINE!
Hugs,
Heather Burch
Hi Heather! It’s so good to hear from you again. (Two years ago, Heather’s entry did really well in the Launching A Star contest. She went on to sell her Hafling series to Harper Collins.) What’s new with you? When does your first book hit the shelves?
I’m so excited about this book, Leigh.
I adore the cover. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy and I can’t wait to get it.
Also…later on we need to chat about those chocolate covered potato chips. I may need some for strictly writer related research purposes, you understand.
Hugs,
Lara
Lara, you ordered a copy? That’s so sweet!
Speaking of sweet, I could really get into a chocolate-covered-potato-chip party. The things we authors have to do in the name of research. <>
Hi, Leigh! Thanks so much for visiting with us today.
And I loved your “trying a new direction” advice!
Cynthia Eden`s last blog was …NEVER CRY WOLF Giveaway
I’m delighted to be here, Cynthia. I really appreciate how mucheveryone at Magical Musings has made me feel at home.
(I’m hoping this comes through as my own computer decided to take a nap and I’m having to use hubby’s.)
I loved the first book THE OFFICERS GIRl and can’t wait to read this one too. Keep em coming.
Bryan, sooooo glad you enjoyed The Officer’s Girl. And believe me, I’m working at “keeping ‘em coming!” Next up, a couple of ranching and rodeo stories set in, where else?, Florida!
I’m late! I’m Late! For a very important date…here!
Leigh is telling the truth about our conversation. We were at Rudy Tuesdays. I was feeling a tad discouraged myself. I hadn’t been writing as long as Leigh and I wondered how she could keep going. She let out a long sigh and propped her head in her hand. She said, “I’m going to give it one more year and then I think I’m done.” It was only a couple of months later that she called me (I’d gotten home to Arkansas) and literally brought me to tears. No one deserves success in this business more than Leigh. She has given and given and given. I am so proud of our friendship. It means everything to me.
AND I’ve read THE DADDY CATCH. Such a heart-warming, touching story. Plus it has an excellent environmental message…subtle but you get it. We have to take care of our land…our world.
Great interview, ladies!
We’re both a little late, Cyndi. Last night, my computer hung up, and it’s taken until just now to get things moving again.
Speaking of someone who deserves success–Cyndi, you’re the one! As RWA’s PRO Liaison, you give far more than I could ever think of doing.
We must have put the world/muse/whatever on notice that night in Ruby Tuesday’s, and I’m thrilled that you recently got “THE CALL,” too!